The Bloors have been fascinated with flawed idealism and obscure histories since they started working together in 2003. In their newest project, they take their usual “range of media” method to a much larger, transportable level.

Hey For Lubberland! is part of a 17th Century English ballad about the New World being mistaken for utopia but turning out to be a fool’s paradise. Everything about the Bloor’s canal boat mirrors the message of the ballad, from the method of geodesic design and construction popular in the 1950s, which was a fast and efficient, but flawed way to create a curved enclosed space, to the “razzle dazzle” exterior of the boat, taken from the First World War’s naval tactic of confusing the enemy with dazzle camouflage which had limited success. The message of the ballad is encompassed in the boat, whilst the boat itself is a means of escape, actually transporting passengers around Brindleyplace’s canals in Birmingham.

The launch of this event will take place on Friday 24 July, 7-9pm at The Bond, 180-182 Fazeley Street. From the 24-26 July it will take part in Supersonic Festival, taking passengers on short trips from IKON Eastside, whilst on board the soundtracks will be selected by artists performing at the Festival.

Simon & Tom Bloor
28 July-13 September 2009
Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Brindleyplace

Image credit: Simon & Tom Bloor.
Hey for Lubberland! (study #1) (2009)
Gouache on watercolour paper